I'd argue he never experienced anything that terrible. I can totally relate to wondering whether even another hour was doable, and no, being alive just for the sake of being alive in those moments is not worth it. I guess I've always been hopeful even in the worst of times that things will get better (they always do) and that's the only thing that makes those stretches workable.
Reminds me of this passage from Catch-22. One of the characters is saying he revels in terrible situations that last forever, because it makes life seem longer that way.
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"Well, maybe it is true," Clevinger conceded unwillingly in a subdued tone. "Maybe a long life does have to be filled with many unpleasant conditions if it's to seem long. But in that event, who wants one?"
"I do," Dunbar told him.
"Why?" Clevinger asked.
"What else is there?"